U.S. patent application number 12/077891 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for tv interface control system and method with automatic search.
Invention is credited to David L. Henty.
Application Number | 20080246890 12/077891 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39826568 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080246890 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Henty; David L. |
October 9, 2008 |
TV interface control system and method with automatic search
Abstract
An automatic search system and method is disclosed which
automatically displays a search menu on a TV in response to opening
a remote control having an internal concealed keyboard. Since a
text entry keyboard is known to be in use a streamlined search menu
may be displayed without an on screen keyboard. A separate on
screen keyboard search menu may be activated in a different mode by
using the remote in a closed configuration.
Inventors: |
Henty; David L.; (Newport
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David L. Henty
Suite 1150, 19900 MacArthur Blvd.
Irvine
CA
92612
US
|
Family ID: |
39826568 |
Appl. No.: |
12/077891 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60919683 |
Mar 23, 2007 |
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60921717 |
Apr 4, 2007 |
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60927762 |
May 4, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/734 ;
348/563; 348/E5.099; 348/E5.103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/42204 20130101;
H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 21/4312 20130101; H04N 5/44543 20130101;
H04N 5/4403 20130101; H04N 21/42206 20130101; H04N 21/4622
20130101; H04N 21/4316 20130101; H04N 21/42214 20130101; H04N
21/42212 20130101; H04N 2005/4419 20130101; H04N 21/4828
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/734 ;
348/563; 348/E05.103; 348/E05.099 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/44 20060101
H04N005/44; H04N 5/445 20060101 H04N005/445 |
Claims
1. A method for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV
environment, comprising: detecting opening of a remote control
having a concealed text entry keyboard; and displaying a search
menu on the TV screen in response to said detecting.
2. A method for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV
environment as set out in claim 1, wherein said displaying a search
menu on the TV screen comprises selecting one search menu from a
plurality of search menus based on the TV viewing mode when said
detecting occurs and displaying said selected search menu.
3. A method for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV
environment as set out in claim 2, wherein said plurality of search
menus include a TV guide search menu and a video on demand search
menu and wherein said viewing modes comprise viewing a TV show and
viewing an on demand movie, respectively.
4. A method for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV
environment as set out in claim 2, wherein said plurality of search
menus include a video search menu, and a picture search menu and
wherein said viewing modes comprise viewing a video, and viewing
pictures, respectively.
5. A method for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV
environment as set out in claim 1, wherein said remote control
comprises a folding remote with a QWERTY keyboard on the inner
surfaces of the folding remote and wherein said detecting comprises
detecting opening of the folding keyboard.
6. A method for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV
environment as set out in claim 1, further comprising detecting
closing of the remote and returning to the prior viewing mode if a
search result has not been selected.
7. A method for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV
environment as set out in claim 1, further comprising toggling
through different search menus in response to activation of a
search mode key in said text entry keyboard.
8. A method for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV
environment as set out in claim 7, wherein said search mode key
toggles between a plurality of different media groups.
9. A method for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV
environment as set out in claim 7, wherein said search mode key
toggles between different search fields including title and actor
search fields.
10. A method for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV
environment as set out in claim 1, wherein said search menu is
displayed in a partial screen along with the program being
viewed.
11. A method for initiating a search mode in a TV environment,
comprising: initiating a search mode in a first manner using first
selection inputs on a top outside portion of a remote control using
text entry employing said first selection inputs; and initiating a
search mode in a second manner using text entry keys on an inner
keyboard of the remote, wherein said first and second search modes
employ different first and second search menus.
12. A method for initiating a search mode in a TV environment as
set out in claim 11, wherein initiating a search mode in a first
manner comprises using a series of on screen menu selections
employing said first selection inputs to display a first search
menu.
13. A method for initiating a search mode in a TV environment as
set out in claim 11, wherein initiating a search mode in a second
manner comprises detecting opening of the remote control to reveal
the text entry keyboard, and displaying a search menu on the TV
screen in response to said detecting.
14. A method for initiating a search mode in a TV environment as
set out in claim 11, wherein said first search menu includes an on
screen keyboard and wherein said second search menu does not
include an on screen keyboard.
15. A method for initiating a search mode in a TV environment as
set out in claim 11, wherein said first search menu is displayed
full screen and wherein said second search menu is displayed in a
partial screen along with the program being viewed.
16. A method for initiating a search mode in a TV environment as
set out in claim 11, wherein said first selection inputs comprise
up, down, left, right buttons.
17. A method for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV
environment, comprising: detecting opening of a remote control
having a concealed text entry keyboard; selecting one of a
plurality of different search menus based on the prior search
patterns of the user or a user setting; displaying the selected
search menu on the TV screen in response to said detecting; and
entering text into the search menu in response to text entry from
the keyboard.
18. A method for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV
environment as set out in claim 17, wherein the plurality of search
menus are at different levels and said selecting displays a higher
or lower level menu based on prior search patterns.
19. A method for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV
environment as set out in claim 18, wherein a higher level menu
searches plural media groups.
20. An entertainment system adapted for use with a TV, comprising:
a media device adapted to be coupled to the TV and control display
of media including TV shows; and a remote control having an open
and closed configuration with first inputs accessible in the closed
configuration and second inputs including text entry keys
accessible in the open configuration, the remote including one or
more transmitters for transmitting controls signals to said media
device including a signal indicating opening of the remote; the
media device including control programming to initiate display of a
search menu automatically in response to receiving said control
signal indicating opening of said remote and to receive text entry
for the search transmitted from said remote from activation of said
text entry keys.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to provisional
application Ser. No. 60/919,683 filed Mar. 23, 2007, to provisional
application Ser. No. 60/921,717 filed Apr. 4, 2007, and to
provisional application Ser. No. 60/927,762 filed May 4, 2007, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to TV interfaces and control
systems and methods for controlling entertainment systems employing
a TV as a display device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art and Related Information
[0005] Modern TV based entertainment systems have the ability to
access a large variety of content. Such content ranges from large
numbers of digital TV channels, movies available through online pay
per view or other subscription access services via cable or
satellite, other online available media, as well as various locally
stored media such as audio, pictures and video, and internet
access. Accessing such content efficiently is impossible without
employing a search feature of some type. At the same time control
of a TV based system is typically via a handheld remote control.
The majority of remote controls employ an Up-Down-Left-Right (UDLR)
set of control buttons to navigate through the various menus to
control the entertainment system. Employing this type of menu
control for searching typically involves going through a series of
menu prompts with the UDLR control buttons to initiate a search
followed by text entry for the search again using the UDLR buttons.
This text entry involves an on screen alpha numeric listing which
is scrolled through via the UDLR control buttons to select text and
numbers one letter or number at a time. A typical search menu
layout of this type is shown in FIG. 1.
[0006] On screen alpha numeric listings for search menus generally
fall into two types, one a keyboard style listing of the alphabet
and numbers such as shown in FIG. 1 and the other a keypad type
layout similar to a telephone keypad which uses a texting type
input format. In either case the input of text for searching is
extremely slow requiring repeated activation of the UDLR control
buttons. This limitation on text entry from a remote control has
limited the desirability of search functions and hampered user
acceptance and use of digital media systems and the large amounts
of media content which are available.
[0007] Accordingly a need exists for an easier way to search media
content using a handheld remote control.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method
for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV environment. The
method comprises detecting opening of a remote control having a
concealed text entry keyboard and displaying a search menu on the
TV screen in response to said detecting.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the method displaying a search
menu on the TV screen may comprise selecting one search menu from a
plurality of search menus based on the TV viewing mode when said
detecting occurs and displaying said selected search menu. The
plurality of search menus may include a TV guide search menu and a
video on demand search menu and the viewing modes may comprise
viewing a TV show and viewing an on demand movie, respectively. The
plurality of search menus may also include a video search menu, and
a picture search menu and the viewing modes may comprise viewing a
video, and viewing pictures, respectively. The remote control may
preferably comprise a folding remote with a QWERTY keyboard on the
inner surfaces of the folding remote and the detecting comprises
detecting opening of the folding keyboard. The method may further
comprise detecting closing of the remote and returning to the prior
viewing mode if a search result has not been selected. The method
may further comprise toggling through different search menus in
response to activation of a search mode key in said text entry
keyboard. For example, the search mode key may toggle between a
plurality of different media groups. The same or a different search
mode key may also toggle between different search fields including
title and actor search fields. The search menu may be displayed in
a partial screen along with the program being viewed.
[0010] In another aspect the present invention provides a method
for initiating a search mode in a TV environment, comprising
initiating a search mode in a first manner using first selection
inputs on a top outside portion of a remote control using text
entry employing said first selection inputs and initiating a search
mode in a second manner using text entry keys on an inner keyboard
of the remote, wherein the first and second search modes employ
different first and second search menus.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the method initiating a search
mode in a first manner comprises using a series of on screen menu
selections employing the first selection inputs to display a first
search menu and initiating a search mode in a second manner
comprises detecting opening of the remote control to reveal the
text entry keyboard, and displaying a search menu on the TV screen
in response to the detecting. The first search menu may include an
on screen keyboard and the second search menu does not include an
on screen keyboard since text entry is available from the keyboard.
The first search menu may be displayed full screen due to the on
screen keyboard and the second search menu is displayed in a
partial screen along with the program being viewed. The first
selection inputs may comprise up, down, left, right buttons.
[0012] In another aspect the present invention provides a method
for automatically initiating a search mode in a TV environment,
comprising detecting opening of a remote control having a concealed
text entry keyboard and selecting one of a plurality of different
search menus based on the prior search patterns of the user or a
user setting. The method further comprises displaying the selected
search menu on the TV screen in response to the detecting and
entering text into the search menu in response to text entry from
the keyboard.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the method the plurality of
search menus are at different levels and the selecting displays a
higher or lower level menu based on prior search patterns. In
particular, a higher level menu preferably searches plural media
groups.
[0014] In another aspect the present invention provides an
entertainment system adapted for use with a TV. The system
comprises a media device adapted to be coupled to the TV and
control display of media including TV shows and a remote control
having an open and closed configuration with first inputs
accessible in the closed configuration and second inputs including
text entry keys accessible in the open configuration. The remote
control includes one or more transmitters for transmitting controls
signals to the media device including a signal indicating opening
of the remote. The media device includes control programming to
initiate display of a search menu automatically in response to
receiving the control signal indicating opening of the remote and
to receive text entry for the search transmitted from the remote
from activation of said text entry keys.
[0015] Further aspects of the invention will be appreciated from
the following detailed description of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In FIG. 1 a search menu with an on screen keyboard layout is
shown.
[0017] In FIG. 2 a streamlined search menu in accordance with the
invention is illustrated.
[0018] In FIG. 3 an interface control method accordance with the
invention is illustrated.
[0019] In FIGS. 4 and 5 search menus are illustrated for an
embodiment of the invention where several different searchable
media groups are available.
[0020] In FIG. 6 the interface control flow is illustrated in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0021] In FIG. 7 the interface control flow is illustrated in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.
[0022] In FIG. 8 an improved entertainment system employing the
automatic search features in accordance with the present invention
is illustrated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,156 ('156 patent) and U.S. Pat. No.
7,123,242 ('242 patent) are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety. In the above noted '156 and '242 patents the above
noted problems were addressed by a folding remote control system
and method with a keyboard configured on the inner surfaces of the
folding remote. This system and method allows easy text entry when
desired by opening the folding remote and using the keyboard within
the remote. The remote also has conventional UDLR buttons on the
outside of the remote allowing control of menus in a conventional
manner. The present invention provides a TV interface and control
method adapted for simple and quick searching which may preferably
employ such a remote with keyboard.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2 a streamlined search menu is
illustrated. This menu is adapted for use with keyboard text entry
rather than UDLR entry and is much simpler than the search menu of
FIG. 1. This menu illustrates a search adapted for example for a
cable TV or satellite TV application and may allow for easy
searching for a movie in an on demand setting or a TV program or
channel from an extensive TV guide listing. The menu therefore
simply employs a text box and a search field selection menu for
title, actor or full text search. For channel or TV program
searching additional or different search field options may be
employed.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 3 the interface control method is
illustrated. During operation with the remote closed and using UDLR
controls the conventional menu navigation may be employed and if
desired searches may be initiated using the menu of FIG. 1 and UDLR
text entry. When the remote is opened to expose the internal text
entry keyboard this is detected at 100. More specifically, as
described in the above noted patents the remote has a sensor which
detects opening of the remote which is used to disable the outside
buttons. For example as described in the noted patents the switch
may be coupled to a latch or to a hinge. At 110 this remote opening
detection is used to transmit a signal using the remote control
transmitter (either IR or RF) to the entertainment control device
218 or TV 222 (FIG. 8) to control the displayed interface. At 120
in response to this signal the device 218, 222 automatically
displays the streamlined search menu such as in FIG. 2. The
streamlined search menu may be superimposed on the menu or program
being viewed when the signal is received in a partial screen window
which menu may be easily accommodated in a partial screen due to
the simple nature of the search menu and lack of need for the text
of the menu of FIG. 1. Alternatively the streamlined search menu
may be displayed full screen displacing the menu or program being
viewed on the screen of TV 222. In either case the user is able to
immediately enter text to initiate searching, changing the search
option field if necessary. The search results may be displayed
immediately within the search menu window once text is entered or
alternatively the full search text may be entered before initiating
the search (e.g., by enter or OK on the keyboard) and the search
results displayed in a separate window. It will readily be
appreciated that this automatic search control is dramatically
simpler and faster than conventional approaches using a remote.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 4-6 search menus and interface control
flow are illustrated for an application where several different
searchable media groups are available. For example, the media
control device 218 may access locally stored (including locally
networked storage) pictures, music and video files in a typical
digital multi-media entertainment system, as well as TV
channels/programs and on demand movie content as described above. A
sample picture search menu is shown in FIG. 4, with similar menus
for music and video. Also, depending on the device 218 internet
search capability may also be provided. In FIG. 5 a higher level
search menu is shown while in FIG. 6 the control flow is
illustrated. As in the example of FIG. 3 above the control flow
proceeds at 100 and 110 to detect keyboard text entry and transmit
a signal to automatically initiate search menu display. Since
multiple search options are available the flow proceeds at 130 to
compare the likely search menu from the displayed content and at
140 to decide if a matching menu is found. If for example the
display is already in pictures the menu of FIG. 4 is selected at
140 and displayed at 150. Similarly for video or music or other
searchable media group (or internet). If a different search field
and menu is desired than the one automatically selected and
displayed the selected menu (such as the example menu of FIG. 4)
includes a change search selection which takes the displayed menu
to a higher level as in FIG. 5 to allow selection of the media
group to search. Alternatively, the change search selection may
scroll (or toggle) through successive search fields/media groups.
Also, instead of the manual change search selection being on
screen, a dedicated change search button may be provided on the
keyboard to further speed search selection and reduce on screen
menu navigation. Also separate such search mode buttons for
toggling through media groups (e.g., TV guide, VOD, pictures, on
line video, music, etc.) and toggling through search fields (e.g.,
actor, title, full text, show category, etc.) may be provided on
the keyboard.
[0027] These automatic menu selection steps 130, 140, 150 (along
with the manual search change selection) may incorporate a memory
and learning function. For example, an automatic search menu
selected at 130-150 from live TV program viewing may typically go
to a TV search menu as in FIG. 2. However, if this automatic
selection is repeatedly altered via a manual search change to an
internet search, then an internet search menu will become the
default automatic search menu displayed. This learning feature may
be user settable as to the number of changes required before
altering the default automatic menu selection and also may be reset
to the original default by the user. Similarly, the field to be
searched may be learned, for example, a default title search menu
may change to a default actor or category search menu. If at 140 no
matching menu is found the automatic search menu flow proceeds at
160 to display a higher level search field menu with available
searchable media groups (and internet if accessible by the device)
as shown in FIG. 5 and allow display of a user selected search menu
at 170. (Or alternatively at 170 text entry directly in the menu of
FIG. 5 may be made, followed by search of the selected media group
in a default category, such as "title", when the search field is
highlighted and selected--followed by display of the appropriate
search menu and search results). For example, the interface control
may follow this flow and may jump directly to that of FIG. 5 when a
media group is not being displayed or when the automatic search
mode is repeatedly changed manually in previous automatic
selections but in an inconsistent manner.
[0028] Alternatively the automatic search initiated at 100, 110 may
go directly to a higher level menu as shown in FIG. 5. This is
shown in FIG. 7 at 180 and the user then selects the search mode
from the menu which is then displayed at 190. This flow may be a
user settable option bypassing the full automatic search menu
selection of FIG. 6 if desired.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 8 an improved entertainment system
employing the automatic search features in accordance with the
present invention is illustrated. As shown, the entertainment
system includes a TV monitor 222 which is coupled to a data
processing device 218 of the type which receives text input control
signals for searching as described above and controls the interface
displayed on the TV. Also, additional devices or inputs may be
provided to the entertainment system, e.g., a DVR 272, wired or
wireless networked device coupled to a PC or other media server and
other video and data inputs indicated generally by inputs 216 and
265 in FIG. 8. Also shown is remote 10, illustrated in both the
first (open) and second (closed) configurations as described above.
Remote 10 provides typical TV type control signals to the
entertainment system in the second (closed) position, such as
volume up/down and power, UDLR controls, etc., and text input
control signals in the first (open) position as described above,
and detects opening and transmits the text input activation signal
as described at 100, 110 above. Also in the open position the keys
may preferably include a first search mode key for toggling through
media groups and/or a second search mode key for toggling through
search fields and/or a text mode key as described in the in '717
application incorporated herein by reference.
[0030] Although the above automatic search features preferably
employ a device 218 such as a set top box, networked PC or other
media control device adapted for the search and text entry
described, in some cases the use of older devices or devices
without dedicated process flow as above may be used by transmitting
commands, such as macros of plural rapid commands to emulate the
desired functions on an existing device. For example, a macro of
commands may be transmitted upon detecting opening of the remote
which takes the display to a search menu normally accessed via a
series of menu selections. Also a device adapted for text entry via
an on screen or triple tap type input may be used to generate text
from the remote QWERTY keyboard by emulating the text entry
commands with a series of commands triggered by activation of each
key on the keyboard.
[0031] Although the interface control described above is preferably
employed with the folding remote illustrated in FIG. 8 and
described in the above patents incorporated by reference and
responsive to opening the remote, the keyboard text entry detection
at 100 above and ensuing control flow may also be initiated by
another means such as detection of a text key being pressed in the
keyboard or activation of a text search button on the keyboard. In
such alternate embodiments the keyboard may be configured
differently than the preferred folding design or may even be
separate from the remote.
[0032] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
foregoing is merely an illustration of the present invention in
currently preferred implementations. A wide variety modifications
to the illustrated embodiments are possible while remaining within
the scope of the present convention. Therefore, the above
description should not be viewed as limiting but merely exemplary
in nature.
* * * * *